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The Burger Issue: Budget-Friendly and Indulgent Burgers You Can Find at Greater Cincinnati Restaurants

Use this guide as a starting point to get you through your burger cravings on any budget.

Jun 28, 2023 at 5:01 am

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Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Gulow Street's cheeseburger

This story is featured in CityBeat's June 28 print edition.

If there is one food that can be easily adapted to satisfy any sort of appetite, it’s the burger. From the simple diner classic to decadent double-deckers loaded with ingredients you can’t pronounce, Cincinnati restaurants are sure to have a burger on the menu that caters to your specific palate — no matter your bank account balance.

This list includes 9 burgers that are $10 and under and 9 burgers that are $15 and over, each boasting a variety of flavors for every burger lover. Use this guide as a starting point to guide you through your burger cravings on any budget.

Need more recommendations? We’ve also included the top 20 reader-voted best burgers for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike from CityBeat’s 2023 Best Of Cincinnati issue.

click to enlarge

Photo: Provided by Heyday

Heyday's house burger

Burgers $10 and under

Fifty West Brewing Company: Double Burger | $9.50
You're in the driver's seat when ordering burgers from Fifty West's Burger Bar. When ordering a burger, they'll ask you to specify which style you'd prefer, all inspired by states along Route 50. Colorado adds spicy green chile salsa, ghost pepper jack cheese and jalapeño for $1. Opting for Maryland-style upgrades your burger with Old Bay tartar sauce atop the classics — lettuce, tomato, onion and American cheese for an extra 50 cents. Or bring it home Ohio style — Cincinnati Chili, shredded cheese, mustard and onion for just $1.50 more. 7668 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township, fiftywestbrew.com. (Sami Stewart)

Quatman Cafe: Cheeseburger Special | $8.50
Quatman Cafe always comes through for a quick, affordable and tasty lunch or dinner hangout. Their savory and sizable burger is a quintessential classic cheeseburger with a harmonious blend of the rich, melted cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a full slice of onion on top, along with optional pickles and mayo (recommended) on the side. The special is served with thin, near-shoestring fries that compete with the burger each reach back to the plate. The meal also comes with a drink as well, making it almost surprisingly cheap at $8.50, considering the quality. Both Quatman Cafe locations have the same daily specials that include plenty of delicious options but, luckily, the burger special is featured three days throughout the week — Monday, Thursday and Saturday — at both locations. It also pairs well with their extra cold beer served in frosted mugs. 224 W. Main St., Mason; 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood, quatmancafe.com. (Brent Stroud)

Gulow Street: Cheeseburger | $6.99
When Gulow Street joined the Northside bar scene in 2021, it won hearts with its cozy ambiance, approachable staff, and small but mighty menu, served until 10 p.m. Perhaps the most talked about menu item is the $6.99 burger. Served with onion, lettuce, mayo, melty American cheese and local EX-EL Pickles, this smash burger delivers delicious, rich flavor with the right amount of topping-induced crunch. Add bacon for $2 more, or live it up with a refreshing Spagett cocktail (Miller High Life with lemon and Aperol). Stop in on a Tuesday for their $10 burger and draft special. 1614 Hoffner Street, gulowstreet.com. (Katrina Eresman)

Heyday: The House Burger | $10
The closure of O Pie O in East Walnut Hills in 2022 disappointed many fans, but its successor (same location and owner), Heyday has a smash burger that keeps hungry diners coming back. The House Burger ($10) features two thin beef patties from Avril-Bleh butchers, hand-pressed and smartly seasoned with toppings including pickled onions, a slice of cheese and a special sauce made with Duke’s Mayo. It’s served on a slightly charred, fluffy potato bun. There are a few tables (and a slight upcharge for dine-in), so carry-out is how most customers choose to enjoy this beauty. 1527 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, heyday.menu. (Rick Pender)

Tickle Pickle: Buns N’ Roses | $10
Music-themed Tickle Pickle Restaurant gives even its meatless guests a chance to indulge in their gourmet rock and roll burgers. Originally opening in Northside, Tickle Pickle has since added two more locations in Listermann Brewing's taproom and Fort Thomas. The Buns N’ Roses burger, named after legendary rock band Guns N' Roses, takes the classic black bean burger and adorns it with a soft pretzel bun, fresh tomatoes, crispy pickles and spicy ketchup that takes it over the top. Guests can add or remove as many toppings as they’d like, and wash it down with one of the restaurant's famous milkshakes. Multiple locations, ordertickle.com. (Kennedy Dudley)

Mad Mike’s Burgers & Fries: Pride of Zeus | $8.19
It’s a gyro. It’s a burger. It’s a gyro burger, and it's brilliant. With a quarter-pound of Black Angus beef piled double-decker style among gyro meat, feta cheese, lettuce, onion and tzatziki sauce, this gyro burger definitely requires two hands and maybe one of those bibs that has a pocket for catching fallen ingredients. Not that it needs it, but you can still add a couple ingredients and come in under $10 (banana peppers, maybe?). Multiple locations, madmikesburger.com. (Katie Griffith)

Ollie’s Trolley: The Ollie | $6
Even if you’ve never eaten at Ollie’s Trolley, chances are you’ve passed its humble location in Cincinnati’s West End. At the corner of Central Avenue and West Liberty Street is a standalone, red and yellow trolley-shaped walkup restaurant that’s been serving Cincinnati for more than 30 years. The Ollie burger is simple but not plain; it features original spices and Ollie sauce — a delicious and unique taste. There’s a small patio that adds to the wholesome, nostalgic experience that is Ollie’s Trolley. 1607 Central Ave., West End, facebook.com/OlliesTrolleyCincinnati. (KG)

Mt. Adams Bar & Grill: Almost Famous Burger | $8
According to its website, the backbar at Mt. Adams Bar & Grill came out of a Prohibition-era speakeasy in Cincinnati owned by bootlegger George Remus. Along with its riveting history and prime location, the grill offers some seriously delicious and approachable plates. The Almost Famous Burger is a patty topped with lettuce, mayo, pickle, onion and cheddar cheese. The kicker is a spicy salsa topping, which really sets this burger apart and gives it a signature flavor. For a little extra, the Fried Jalapeno Ravioli is a perfect start to any meal at the Mt. Adams Bar & Grill. 938 Hatch St., Mt. Adams, mtadamsbarandgrill.com. (KG)

Herb and Thelma's Tavern: Cheeseburger Topped with Black Forest Ham | $9
A restaurant that’s been serving burgers for more than 80 years is definitely doing something right. Herb and Thelma’s opened in 1939 as Heine’s Cafe and has stayed in the family ever since — it also claims the coldest beer and best burgers in Northern Kentucky. The tall, narrow building in Covington houses a laid-back bar and restaurant decorated with antiques. Old signs, beer cans and bottles, Cincinnati sports memorabilia and photographs line the walls while burger patties (made fresh every day) are prepared on a grill right beside the bar. Top the Black Forest ham burger with extra cheese, sauerkraut or signature sweet watermelon relish for $1 extra. 718 Pike St., Covington, herbandthelmas.com. (KG)

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Photo: facebook.com/jeffrubyssteakhouse

Jeff Ruby Steakhouse's JR Burger

Burgers $15 and over:

Cafe Mochiko: Hokkaido Smashburger | $16
Cafe Mochiko’s smash burger adds pickles soaked in soy sauce, yuzu kosho mayo, lettuce and American cheese atop its rich and juicy smashed Wagyu beef from nearby Sakura Farms. As a bonus, it’s served with delicious fries with the perfect soft-to-crisp ratio. Pro tip: The burger is best enjoyed with one of the James Beard-nominated bakery’s crisp Japanese lagers and a bakery dessert. 1524 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, cafemochiko.com. (BS)

Moerlein Lager House: Moer Burger | $20
The best thing about Moerlein’s flagship burger is that it comes with a view inside a microbrewery. And, yeah, it tastes good too. On this burger, pastrami is paired with applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, a fried egg, Moerlein’s sweet onion relish and house-made black pepper aioli, atop a premium ground beef burger — add a Moerlein beer into the mix and you’re dining right. The views and entertainment The Banks offers makes this experience worth the extra dollar. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks, moerleinlagerhouse.com. (KG)

Yard House: Beyond Burger | $16.99
With a claim to the world’s largest selection of draft beer, you don’t need much more of a reason to visit the Yard House. But just in case a beer served in a glass as long as your arm feels on the verge of over-indulgence, make a balanced decision for your digestive system and try Yard House’s take on the popular Beyond Burger. Even if you’re a carnivore, this option is delightful. Yard House tops the Beyond Burger with vegan mozzarella, arugula (the best lettuce), onion, tomato and pickles. Vegan options aren’t only for vegans. 95 E. Freedom Way, The Banks, yardhouse.com. (KG)

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse: JR Double Burger | $22
Who wouldn’t love to sink their teeth into a double-decker burger from one of the fanciest restaurants in town? Two 4-ounce patties make up the heart of this burger, which comes from the full-service butcher shop that’s been serving Cincy since 1894 – Avril-Bleh Meat Market & Deli. The JR Double Burger is topped with American cheese, pickle relish, lettuce, bacon, red onion and Duke’s Mayo, keeping it simple and classy. 505 Vine St., Downtown, jeffruby.com. (KG)

Montgomery Inn Boathouse: Classic Wagyu Burger | $15.99
While Montgomery Inn is famous for its ribs and barbecue sauce, the classic burger shouldn’t be overlooked. This burger features an 8-ounce Wagyu beef patty and your choice of cheese, plus lettuce, tomato and onion. If you don’t grab a side of Saratoga chips and Montgomery Inn Barbecue Sauce, you’re missing out on the complete experience. 925 Riverside Dr., Downtown, montgomeryinn.com. (KG)

BRU Burger Bar: Melt Your Face | $14
A burger bar? Genius. Really, any BRU Burger could make the cut — there are so many craft options — but this face-melting promise caught our attention. Not one, but three habanero toppings plus jalapeños complete this fiery choice. It sounds like it should come with an award (or at least a wall of fame photo opportunity) but at least you’ll get bragging rights upon digestion. The Melt Your Face burger includes habanero hot sauce, habanero jack cheese, jalapenos, habanero whole grain mustard and garden toppings. Multiple locations, bruburgerbar.com. (KG)

The Capital Grille: The Capital Grille Cheeseburger | $20
Truffle fries included, the Capital Grille Cheeseburger is a fine-dining delight. This American chain restaurant serves upscale vibes in its Hyde Park location. Grilled onions are a perfect topper for this juicy burger, cooked to your preference. For a starter, try the Prosciutto-Wrapped Mozzarella with Vine Ripe Tomatoes, served with crisp crostini and 15-year aged balsamic. 3821 Edwards Rd., Hyde Park, thecapitalgrille.com. (KG)

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whisk(e)y: Shepherd's Burger | $15
Finally, a burger with some bite. The Shepherd’s burger at Nicholson’s is one of this list’s most unique for its tangy, sharp profile. Perfectly seasoned beef is ground alongside lamb, topped with herbed goat cheese, lemon garlic aioli, arugula, tomato and onion. The bright kick of lemony goat cheese, the juicy blend of lamb and beef... it’s eye-rolling good. While beer and bourbon are normally the go-to at Nicholson’s, order yourself a California cabernet to give this elevated burger the pairing she deserves. 625 Walnut St., Downtown, nicholsonspub.com. (Madeline Fening)

Losanti: Losanti Burger | $17.95
It takes real convincing to make Losanti lovers stray from their usual favorites like truffle spaghetti or mussels, but Losanti’s burger may just be the slept-on bite of the season. Like everything this kitchen turns out, their burger is simple yet intensely memorable for its depth of taste. Provolone cheese, garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato and balsamic onions are nestled under a brioche bun. The balsamic onions are made even more memorable when you opt for the extra $2 pancetta, making the burger perfectly indulgent. If it all sounds too fancy, don’t worry. You’ll still get fries. 1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, losantiotr.com. (MF)

Best Of Burgers

These favorite dining destinations took home top-10 honors in CityBeat’s annual Best Of Cincinnati issue for Best Overall Burger (Non-Chain) and Best Veggie Burger.

Best Overall Burger